Terrain at Delaware Valley University To Break Ground In September

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Urban Outfitters (URBN) will break ground for its newest Terrain home and garden store, event venue and eatery in early September at the former site of the Market at Delaware Valley University off of Lower State Road.

“Right now we’re in the bid phase of the project. And we anticipate breaking ground on September 12,” URBN Chief Development Officer David Ziel told the Doylestown Township Planning Commission at its August meeting.

“The really exciting part for us is that we have just booked the first wedding on June 30, 2023. We are planning to open at the end of April or early May," said Ziel. "Mother’s Day is the target. We are hoping to have both the event venue and the cafe open for reservations. But we are already to go. We will have shovels in the ground on September 12.”

Ziel appeared before the commission to present an update on the project, which will transform the former Market at DelVal into URBN’s newest Terrain location including its signature retail store, nursery, garden cafe, and private event space under a partnership agreement with the university.

This past spring Delaware Valley University and URBN announced the unique partnership, which will build upon the school's agricultural foundation and the brand’s seasonal, experiential approach to retail. Produce, plants, and farm goods from DelVal will be sold at Terrain’s retail store and incorporated into its restaurant and catering menus.

The partnership includes experiential learning opportunities for DelVal students through the university’s award winning Experience360 program. Students can pursue paid internships and additional employment opportunities at Terrain at Delaware Valley University and other URBN locations. These internships may include retail, food service, events and other activities.

Ziel also announced that URBN is finalizing a program called Freight Farm with the university.

“Think of micro farming in a container for inner cities, whether that be a truck container - truck being the preferred container because you can move those micro farms to a destination that needs those micro greens, produce, etc.,” he said. “It’s a big, big deal. And DVU thinks it’s tremendous in the recruiting of their students because it’s a more innovative approach than than standard agricultural practice. We’re really excited to tell you that that relationship is about to be cemented and that investment made long term.”

Any food produced by Freight Farm and not used by URBN and DVU will be donated to food banks in the Doylestown area.

“There’s some really neat stuff going on and we haven’t even put the shovel in the ground yet,” said Ziel.

Terrain at DelVal is designed to complement the pastoral surroundings of Delaware Valley University’s campus and celebrate the neighboring agricultural community. It will add to the existing farm market building, with features including a new greenhouse, restaurant with outdoor seating, indoor event space with adjacent porch, and outdoor nursery.

“The partnership with URBN for Terrain at Delaware Valley University furthers our mission of preparing students for success after graduation,” said Dr. Benjamin Rusiloski, university president this past spring in announcing the partnership. “We are thrilled that our students will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience with a highly regarded company, and we know that the community is very excited at the prospect of Terrain’s restaurant, retail and event activities.”

Terrain is committed to celebrating the local landscape by including materials like Pennsylvania field stone and reclaimed barnwood in its new buildings. Visitors can also look forward to lush, seasonally changing landscapes on the Terrain grounds.

This immersive, garden-first vision reflects both Terrain’s nature-inspired brand ethos as well as the university’s agricultural heritage.

‘We are very excited about our newest Terrain project and our new partnership with Delaware Valley University. Additionally, we are looking forward to serving the Doylestown and surrounding communities with a new retail, dining and events experience for many years to come,” said Frank Conforti, URBN Co-President and COO.

Project features include: Terrain at Delaware Valley University, a full home store and outdoor nursery well-known for its elevated product offerings; Terrain Cafe, offering a greenhouse dining experience that celebrates the cycle of the seasons and the bounty of the land; and Terrain Gardens, an event venue that will accommodates guests in a farmhouse-inspired setting that transforms with the seasons to provide a one-of-a-kind events experience for any occasion.

Terrain Gardens is now accepting booking requests for events taking place summer 2023 and onward. Website: www.terrainevents.com Instagram handle:@terrain_events